U.S. patent number 10,791,800 [Application Number 15/615,685] was granted by the patent office on 2020-10-06 for systems and methods for automatic production of a cord structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FUERST GROUP, INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is Fuerst Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael A. Aveni, Shane Dittrich, Rory Fuerst, Jr., Kristopher Ryan Okelberry, Oscar Williamson, III.
United States Patent |
10,791,800 |
Fuerst, Jr. , et
al. |
October 6, 2020 |
Systems and methods for automatic production of a cord
structure
Abstract
Systems and methods for automatically producing a cord structure
are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises
automatically forming, with at least one robotic arm, a first
plurality of loops in a first plane, and automatically forming,
with the at least one robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a
second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of
loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this
way, cord structures may be quickly constructed, thereby reducing
labor input and expense.
Inventors: |
Fuerst, Jr.; Rory (Portland,
OR), Dittrich; Shane (Nampa, ID), Aveni; Michael A.
(Lake Oswego, OR), Okelberry; Kristopher Ryan (Nampa,
ID), Williamson, III; Oscar (Nampa, ID) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fuerst Group, Inc. |
Menlo Park |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
FUERST GROUP, INC. (Menlo Park,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
1000005094135 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/615,685 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170347754 A1 |
Dec 7, 2017 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62346399 |
Jun 6, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B
15/80 (20130101); D04B 37/02 (20130101); D04B
5/00 (20130101); A43B 23/0295 (20130101); D04B
1/126 (20130101); A43B 1/04 (20130101); A43C
1/04 (20130101); A43B 9/12 (20130101); D03D
51/02 (20130101); A43B 23/027 (20130101); D03D
1/00 (20130101); A43D 119/00 (20130101); A43B
9/02 (20130101); A43D 2200/10 (20130101); D10B
2501/043 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
1/04 (20060101); D04B 5/00 (20060101); A43B
23/02 (20060101); D03D 1/00 (20060101); A43D
119/00 (20060101); A43C 1/04 (20060101); D04B
37/02 (20060101); D04B 1/12 (20060101); D04B
15/80 (20060101); A43B 9/02 (20060101); A43B
9/12 (20060101); D03D 51/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;12/51 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2649898 |
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Oct 2013 |
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EP |
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2008083095 |
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Jul 2008 |
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WO |
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WO-2014074928 |
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May 2014 |
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WO |
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Other References
Saha, M. et al., "Motion Planning for Robotic Manipulation of
Deformable Linear Objects," Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE
International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2006),
May 15, 2006, Orlando, Florida, 8 pages. cited by applicant .
ISA Korean Intellectual Property Office, International Search
Report Issued in Application No. PCT/US2017/036222, dated Sep. 13,
2017, WIPO, 3 pages. cited by applicant .
ISA Korean Intellectual Property Office, Written Opinion of the
International Searching Authority Issued in Application No.
PCT/US2017/036222, dated Sep. 13, 2017, WIPO, 10 pages. cited by
applicant .
European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report Issued in
Application No. 17000952.6, dated Nov. 20, 2017, Germany, 7 pages.
cited by applicant .
Owano, N., "Robot arm at MIT will weave its own web (w/ Video),"
Phys.org Website, Available Online at
https://phys.org/news/2012-04-robot-arm-mit-web-video.html, Apr.
29, 2012, 3 pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Gracz; Katharine
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCoy Russell LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/346,399, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
AUTOMATIC PRODUCTION OF A CORD STRUCTURE," and filed on Jun. 6,
2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A system, comprising: a loop fixture; at least two robotic arms
including a first robotic arm configured to automatically dispense
a cord; and a controller configured with instructions stored in
non-transitory memory that when executed cause the controller to:
control the at least two robotic arms to automatically dispense the
cord to form a first plurality of loops on the loop fixture in a
first plane; and control the at least two robotic arms to
automatically dispense the cord to form a second plurality of loops
in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second
plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of
loops.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured with instructions in the non-transitory memory that when
executed cause the controller to generate a first path for the
first robotic arm, and wherein controlling the at least two robotic
arms to dispense the cord to form the first plurality of loops
comprises controlling the first robotic arm to dispense the cord
along the first path.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cord comprises a first cord
and a second cord, the first cord forming the first plurality of
loops and the second cord forming the second plurality of
loops.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is further
configured with instructions in the non-transitory memory that when
executed cause the controller to command the first robotic arm to
select a first end-of-arm tool prepared with the first cord prior
to forming the first plurality of loops, and to command the first
robotic arm to select a second end-of-arm tool prepared with the
second cord prior to forming the second plurality of loops.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first end-of-arm tool and the
second end-of-arm tool are stored in a rack positioned adjacent to
the first robotic arm.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein a second robotic arm of the at
least two robotic arms includes an end-of-arm tool configured to
hold the cord in selective positions as the first robotic arm
dispenses the cord to form the first and second pluralities of
loops.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein an eyestay and a sole are
positioned on the loop fixture, and wherein the first plurality of
loops is dispensed through the eyestay and the second plurality of
loops is dispensed through the sole to form a footwear article.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein a size of each loop in the first
and second pluralities of loops are determined based on a size of
the footwear article.
9. A system, comprising: a robotic arm; and a controller
communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and configured with
instructions in non-transitory memory that when executed cause the
controller to: control the robotic arm to dispense a first cord to
form a first plurality of loops in a first plane, wherein at least
one loop of the first plurality of loops is dispensed at least
partially into a sole; and control the robotic arm to dispense a
second cord to form a second plurality of loops in a second plane
orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops
slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sole comprises at least one
material, and wherein friction between the at least one material
and the at least one loop holds the at least one loop in place.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein a first loop of the first
plurality of loops is intertwined with and slidably movable
relative to at least two loops of the second plurality of loops,
and wherein a second loop of the at least two loops is intertwined
with and slidably movable relative to at least two loops of the
first plurality of loops including the first loop.
12. The system of claim 9, further comprising an end-of-arm tool
coupled to an end of the robotic arm, the end-of-arm tool
configured to dispense at least one of the first cord and the
second cord.
Description
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY
Footwear construction typically relies on the manipulation of flat
materials into three-dimension shapes in order to form a footwear
article. Cloth, leather, or other materials may be cut and sewn or
otherwise attached and wrapped around a foot form to create a
desired shape for the article, such as a footwear upper.
Traditionally, the construction of footwear includes a multitude of
steps such as sewing, boning, welding, pressing, knitting, weaving,
and so on.
The inventors have recognized several drawbacks with this
traditional approach. For example, the steps mentioned above are
typically performed manually. While some machines, such as sewing
machines, may be used to shorten the production process, footwear
construction remains labor-intensive and expensive.
To at least partially address the above issues, the inventors
herein have taken alternative approaches to footwear construction.
In one example, a footwear article may include a looped upper with
fibers or cords formed into a cord structure. The cord structure is
automatically constructed by robotic arms. For example, a method
for constructing the cord structure includes automatically forming,
with at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a
first plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one
robotic arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane
orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of loops
slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops. In this way, a
footwear article or another cord structure may be quickly
constructed, thereby reducing labor input and expenses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows an example of a footwear article;
FIG. 2 shows an example intertwined pattern of cords in the
footwear article shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows an example system for automatically producing a cord
structure;
FIG. 4 shows an example apparatus for automatically producing a
cord structure;
FIG. 5 shows an example loop fixture;
FIG. 6 shows an example end-of-arm tool for dispensing cord;
FIG. 7 shows a high-level flow chart illustrating an example method
for automatically producing a footwear article with a cord
structure;
FIG. 8 shows a high-level flow chart illustrating an example method
for automatically producing a cord structure;
FIG. 9 illustrates an example routine for producing a cord
structure;
FIG. 10 illustrates construction of a first set of loops in a
corded structure; and
FIG. 11 illustrates construction of a second set of loops through
the first set of loops in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Systems and methods for automatically constructing a cord structure
are described herein. Such a cord structure may comprise a corded
upper in a footwear article, such as the footwear article depicted
in FIG. 1. A cord structure may include interconnected loops of
different cords, as depicted in FIG. 2, which form a
three-dimensional structure. A system for automatically
constructing a cord structure in general or a footwear article in
particular is depicted in FIG. 3. Such a system includes a cord
structure-building apparatus, such as the apparatus depicted in
FIG. 4, which includes at least one robotic arm, such as two or
more robotic arms, that automatically weave a cord structure. The
cord structure may be at least partially constructed by the robotic
arms on a loop fixture, such as the loop fixture depicted in FIG.
5, which includes a plurality of guideposts around and through
which loops may be built. Different sets of loops may be
constructed from different colored cords, each of which may be
threaded through different end-of-arm tools, such as the end-of-arm
tool depicted in FIG. 6. Such end-of-arm tools are attached to the
end of at least one robotic arm, and allow the robotic arm to
dispense cord in three-dimensional space to form the cord
structure. The cord-building apparatus provides a simplified method
for footwear construction, such as the method depicted in FIG. 7.
In a method for automatically constructing a cord structure, such
as the method depicted in FIG. 8, the cord-building apparatus may
create a first set of loops in a first plane, and a second set of
loops through the first set of loops in a second plane orthogonal
to the first plane. Routines for dispensing cord to create loops
are depicted in FIGS. 9-11.
The footwear article, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 1,
may include interconnected bights in a cord structure providing a
3-dimensional form fitting construction. The cord structure
increases the range of motion of an upper part of the footwear
article while retaining flexibility and comfort. The cord structure
may conform highly to the shape of a foot during use due to the
relative movement provided by the bights. For example, by providing
an array of bight interconnections across the upper from a lateral
to medial side, and across a forefoot region, hundreds of
adjustments, for example, can be automatically made by the cord
structure so that the appropriate lengths of each cord section
between the bights are achieved. As a result, the comfort provided
by the footwear article is increased.
Further, the cord structure includes an anchor cord positioned away
from and parallel to a sole of the footwear article. The remainder
of the cord structure may be coupled to the anchor cord through an
array of bight connections. In this way, the cord structure can be
tensioned independent of other upper materials, thereby enabling a
more precise fit and increased functionality of the cord structure.
Furthermore, a method for constructing the footwear article is
simplified as the cord structure is anchored to the upper rather
than directly to the sole.
The example cord structures described herein also enable the
manufacturing process of the footwear article to be simplified when
compared to other types of shoe construction which use a foot
form.
FIG. 1 shows an example footwear article 50. The footwear article
50 may include a sole 52. The sole 52 may be an insole/midsole, in
one example. In some examples, the insole and midsole may be single
component in the footwear article. However, in other examples, the
sole may be a transition material, such as, but not limited to, a
cloth-like material that is used during the described production
methods to form a portion of the sole or outsole and/or to secure
the footwear for formation of the sole or outsole. Further still,
in other examples, the insole and midsole may be separate
components in the footwear article. Moreover, in one example, the
footwear article 50 may also include an outsole. However, in other
examples the footwear article 50 may not include an outsole or the
outsole may be integrated into the sole 52. FIG. 1 is shown to
scale. However, other relative dimensions may be used if
desired.
The sole 52 is attached to a cord structure 66. The cord structure
66 is included in an upper 67. The cord structure may be formed
from numerous cord sections interlocking with one another. The cord
may include string, twine, yarn, rope, cable, strands of braided or
twisted materials, and/or other cord-like structures including
combinations of the previously listed examples twisted together or
otherwise combined. In one example, the cord includes nylon cord of
approximately a 1/8'' diameter, with an outer sheath and inner
twine. Of course, other sizing may also be used. In another
example, the cord may be double braided nylon, with an inner braid
filling a central void and an outer braid that may be of the same
or different material. The cord may be flexible yet retain some of
its shape in a free state. Further, the cord may have some
elastomeric components. Further, different cord sections (e.g., the
vamp as compared to the rand) may have different degrees of
flexibility, elasticity, etc. In one example, different materials
may be used in different sections of the cord structure 66. For
instance, a more flexible type of cord may be used in an upper
portion of the cord structure 66 and a less flexible type of cord
may be used in a lower portion of the cord structure. Additionally,
the portions of the cord structure coupled to the sole may be
totally covered via the sole, in one example. In another example,
the portions of the cord structure coupled to sole the may only be
partially covered. For instance, portions of the cord structure
proximate to the toes may be covered while portions of the cord
structure, proximate to a heel, may be uncovered or vice-versa.
Covering portions of the cord structure reduces the likelihood of
premature wear of the cord caused by abrasions from rocks, dirt,
and/or other particulates from the external environment. As a
result, the footwear article's longevity is increased.
In one example, one or more cords in the cord structure 66 may
extend through openings in the sole 52 to facilitate coupling of
the sole to the cord structure. Additionally alternatively, a
portion of the cord structure may be stitched, adhesively bonded
(e.g., glued), and/or snapped into the sole to enable the coupling
of the sole and the cord structure. In another example, a plurality
of anchor points attached to the cord structure may be fixedly
attached (e.g., injection molded into) to the sole. The anchor
points may be individual cord loops.
In one example, the cord structure 66 may be a looped upper. In
such an example, the looped upper may be formed in a grid-like
pattern, but substantially free of knots at a plurality of the
slippable interfaces positioned away from the sole 52.
The cord structure 66 may be an upper of the footwear article 50.
The cord structure 66 may at least partially enclose a foot. The
cord structure 66 includes a rand substructure 68. The rand
substructure is coupled to the sole 52. Specifically in one
example, sole attachment bights in the rand substructure 68 may be
coupled to and/or extend through attachment openings in the sole.
In one example, the attachment bights may be formed via a single
cord in the rand substructure 68. Thus, a single cord may have
multiple bights. A bight is a curved portion or section of a
greater cord in the cord structure 66. Thus, a bight may be a
portion of a loop in a cord.
The rand substructure 68 further includes vamp attachment bights
74. The vamp attachment bights 74 are coupled (e.g.,
interconnected, interlocked, stitched, intertwined, and/or
slidingly engaged) to rand attachment bights 76 included in a vamp
substructure 78 in the cord structure 66. The interconnection
between the vamp attachment bights 74 and the rand attachment
bights forms a loop line 69. The loop line 69 may be an interface
between the rand substructure 68 and the vamp substructure 78. The
loop line 69 extends in a direction from a heel side 60 of the
footwear article 60 to a toe side 58 of the footwear article. The
loop line 69 also extends from a tibular side 62 of the footwear
article 50 to a fibular side 64 of the footwear article. The loop
line 69 may peripherally extend around the footwear article, and in
one example may traverse around the entire upper. Further it will
be appreciated that the loop line 69 may extend in an arc around at
least a portion of the footwear article 50. Other loop line
configurations have been contemplated. For instance, the loop line
may extend across the footwear article from a first later side to a
second lateral side. Further in another example, the loop line may
extend around the footwear article in an arc, from a first side of
a heel counter to a second side of a heel counter. Still further in
another example, the loop line may laterally extend across the
footwear article as well as extend in an arc around a front of the
footwear article (e.g., toe side). Even further in another example,
the loop line may only extend around a portion of the footwear
article, such as a portion adjacent to a toe side or a heel side of
the footwear article. Further still in one example, the footwear
article may include a plurality of loop lines.
The vamp substructure 78 is spaced away (e.g., vertically spaced
away) from the sole 52, in the depicted example. Additionally, the
rand substructure 68 may be positioned vertically above the sole 52
and the vamp substructure 78 may be positioned vertically above the
rand substructure. A vertical axis is provided for reference.
However, it will be appreciated that other footwear article
orientations may be used if desired. It will be appreciated that
the vamp substructure 78 may be spaced away from the sole 52 when
the footwear article is not being worn. The cord structure 66 may
retain it shape due to the interconnection between the vamp
substructure 78 and the rand substructure 68, along with the
internal structure of the cord. Example interconnections are
discussed in further detail herein.
FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of the at least partially sliding
interconnection between the vamp attachment bights 74 and the rand
attachment bights 76. It will be appreciated that the vamp
attachment bights 74 are shown interlocked with rand attachment
bights, as depicted in FIG. 2. In this way, the vamp substructure
may be coupled to the rand substructure without the use of
adhesive, if desired. However, it will be appreciated that in some
examples adhesives may be used to couple certain elements in the
footwear article. In one example, the sliding connection between
the bights may be free of knots. However in another example, at
least a portion of the vamp attachment bights 74 may be fixedly
coupled to at least a portion of the rand attachment bights 76. In
another example, stitched locks may be used to provide the
partially sliding interconnection. For instance, loose or tight
stitched interfaces may be provided at the junctions of the cords
in the upper. By controlling the amount of slippable engagement in
various sections of the footwear article desired fitting
characteristics may be achieved to increase the wearer's comfort.
The systems and methods further described herein with regard to
FIGS. 3-15 may be directed to forming a cord structure including
the vamp and rand substructures depicted in FIG. 2.
It should be appreciated that the cord structure depicted in FIGS.
1 and 2 includes a first loop of the first plurality of loops
(e.g., the rand substructure) is intertwined with and slidably
movable relative to at least two loops of the second plurality of
loops (e.g., the vamp substructure), and a second loop of the at
least two loops is intertwined with and slidably movable relative
to at least two loops of the first plurality of loops including the
first loop. Such a loop configuration enables the slippably engaged
and durable cord structure depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Returning to FIG. 1, the vamp substructure 78 further includes lace
attachment bights 80. The lace attachment bights 80 are shown
coupled to a lace cord 82 in FIG. 1. Specifically, the lace cord 82
extends through the lace attachment bights 80. The length of the
lace cord 82 may be adjusted by the wearer. However, alternate lace
cord configurations have been considered. For instance, the
footwear article may be constructed without a lace cord. In this
way, a wearer can quickly and easily slip on and off the footwear
article without the need to tie a lace cord. In such an example,
elastic material may be provided in the footwear article to enable
controlled expansion and contraction of portions of the cord
structure. Additionally, different lacing patterns have been
considered. For instance, the cord structure may include eyestays.
Cords in the cord structure may extend through the eyestays.
The lace cord 82 may be included in the cord structure 66, in some
examples. However, in other examples the lace cord 82 may not be
included in the cord structure 66. In such an example, elastic or
other suitable material may be used to provide the footwear article
with a slip-on capability.
Numerous relative vamp cord, rand cord, and/or lace cord lengths
have been contemplated. Portions of the rand cord 84 and the vamp
cord 86 are also shown in FIG. 2. The sole attachment bights 70 are
also shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated, the sole cord 73 (also
referred to herein as the anchor cord) is intertwined with the sole
attachment bights 70.
It should be appreciated, that the construction method described
herein enables, in some embodiments, options for customizing sizing
and for adjusting sizing with minimal tooling expenditures. For
example, the construction of the upper based on a cord length
enables variation in size without changing the upper pattern or
obtaining different size cutting dies. As such, in some
embodiments, the size of the upper can be altered by varying the
cord length. The loops may remain in their relative position for
each size. Such construction reduces costs by utilizing same size
tooling.
Likewise, customization of the footwear may be applied to improve
fit for a specific user. With generation of an electronic scan of a
foot, a customized and personalized cord may be used to generate
customized footwear based on the foot scan. For example, the
lengthening (or shortening) of the loops, the positioning and
sizing of the loop line, and the adjustment of cord size may be
adjusted alone or in combination to tailor the upper to the
specific dimensions of the scanned foot to provide a customized
fit.
Turning back to FIG. 1, the rand cord 84 and the vamp cord 86 are
depicted as being round cords in FIG. 1. However, other shapes have
been contemplated. For instance, one or more of the cords may be
flat cords or one or more of the cords may have flat ends and round
midsections. In another example, one or more of the cords may have
one or more flat sections and one or more round sections. For
instance, a cord may include a round section followed by a flat
section and so on and so forth. Additionally, the sole cord 73 may
be flat, round, or have different sections with varying geometries.
Additionally, the rand cord 84, the vamp cord 86, and the lace cord
82 are all depicted as having a similar cross-sectional area (e.g.,
diameter) and/or geometry. In one example, the diameter of one or
more of the cords may be between 1/8.sup.th of an inch and
1/16.sup.th of an inch. However, in other examples the cords may
have varying widths. It will be appreciated that the sole cord 73
may have a similar geometry to the rand cord, vamp cord, and/or
lace cord, in one example. However, in other examples, the
cross-sectional area and/or geometry of the rand cord 84, the vamp
cord 86, sole cord 73, and/or lace cord 82 may vary. For example,
the cross-sectional area of the rand cord may be larger than the
vamp cord. In another example, the rand cord may be circular and
the vamp cord may be flat.
Further in some examples, the rand cord 84, vamp cord 86, and/or
lace cord 82 may comprise similar material(s). However, in other
examples the aforementioned cords may comprise different materials.
One or more of the cords may comprise synthetic fibers such as
Polypropylene, Nylon, Polyester, Polyethylene, Aramid, and/or
Acrylate polymer. Additionally, one or more of the cords may
comprise natural fibers such as cotton, linen, coir, etc. Further
in one example, one or more of the cords may comprise a polymeric
material.
Additionally, the rand cord 84, vamp cord 86, and/or lace cord 82
may be designed with different material properties to enable the
footwear article have desired structural characteristics. For
example, the lace cord 82 may have a greater elasticity than the
rand cord 84 and/or the vamp cord 86.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical height of the vamp attachment
bights increases in a reward direction extending toward the heel
side 60 of the footwear article 50. The width of the interlocked
vamp cord sections extending from the lace cord to the rand cord
may also increase in the reward direction extending toward the heel
side 60 of the footwear article 50.
The footwear article 50 also includes a heel counter 97. The heel
counter or other support structures in the footwear article may be
included in the upper discussed above. It will be appreciated that
the rigidity/flexibility of the heel counter 97 may be selected to
provide a desired amount of support to the cord structure 66.
Specifically, the heel counter 97 may prevent the cord structure
from flexing outward and/or downward in a direction toward the sole
by an undesirable amount. In this way, the cord structure may
maintain a desired shape. As a result, a wearer of the footwear
article may quickly and comfortably put on and take off the
footwear article. The heel counter 97 may comprise a different
material than the cord structure 66, such as leather, synthetic
leather, fabric, etc. However, in some examples the heat support
structure may also comprise cord. The loop line 69 may extend
through the heel counter 97 in some examples. Additionally, the
heel counter 97 may be coupled to the sole 52. Specifically, in
some examples the heel counter structure may extend (e.g.,
vertically or angularly) from the sole 52. The heel counter 97 is
coupled to the rand substructure 68, in the depicted example. A
connection cord 98 is shown extending through bights in the rand
substructure 68 and through an opening 99 in the heel counter 97.
In this way, the heel counter 97 provides support to the cord
structure as well as shields a portion of the cord structure from
the external environment. Additionally or alternatively, the heel
counter 97 may be coupled to the vamp substructure 78, thereby
providing support to the substructure. The heel counter may have a
greater rigidity than the cord structure 66. In one example, the
connection cord 98 may be a portion of the vamp cord 86 or the rand
cord 84. Additionally, a portion of the cord structure extends
around the width of the heel counter 97. However, other heel
counter configurations have been contemplated. In one example, ends
of cords in the cord structure may be coupled to the heel counter
and/or coupled to one another within the heel counter. In one
example, the heel counter 97 may have greater stiffness in a
longitudinal direction than a lateral direction. The vertical
stiffening of the support may provide a desired amount of support
to the cord structure. However, other heel counter 97 material
characteristics have been contemplated.
The footwear article 50 shown in FIG. 1 may further include an
eyestay (not shown). Cords in the cord structure 66 may extend
through the eyestay. It will be appreciated that more than one cord
section extends though the eyestay, in the depicted example.
However in other examples, alternate eyestay designs have been
contemplated. The eyestay may provide desired cord spacing and cord
support to the cord structure. In this way, the eyestay may limit
the free movement of the cords extending therethrough. The eyestay
may be included in an upper structure. In one example, the upper
structure may be adjacent to a tongue of the footwear article. The
upper structure may comprise a different material than the cord
structure, in one example. Example eyestay materials include cloth,
leather, synthetic leather, fabric, polymeric material, etc. In
other examples, the footwear article may include a plurality of
eyestays.
Additionally, one or more sheaths may enclose (e.g.,
circumferentially enclose) a portion of at least one of the rand
cord 84 and vamp cord 86, in some examples. Therefore, the sheaths
may surround various sections of the cords in the cord structure.
For instance, a plurality of sheaths may surround a portion of the
rand cord 84 from vamp attachment bights 74 to the rand attachment
bights 76. Thus, the sheaths may act as protective covers for the
cords. In some examples, the sheath may be in face sharing contact
with an outer surface of the cord. However, in other examples, the
sheath may be spaced away from an outer surface of the cord. The
sheaths may be cylindrical, in one example. However, other sheath
geometries have been contemplated. Additionally, a plurality of
sheaths may be used to form a toe cap around the toe side of the
footwear article. The sheaths may provide increased structural
integrity to desired areas of the cord structure 66, to enable the
cord structure 66 to retain a desired shape. The sheaths may
comprise a different material than the vamp cord and/or the rand
cord. In one example, the sheaths may comprise a polymeric
material. The sheaths may also protect the cords from damage.
The footwear article may be manufactured using a double lasted
strobel and string construction, which allows the various upper
parts--the cord structure and the upper structures--to act
independent of each other. These upper parts are integrated
together by the laces at the lace attachment bights.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating an example automated
system 300 for automatically producing a cord structure for a
footwear article, such as the footwear article described herein
above with regard to FIGS. 1-2, or other articles including a cord
structure. Automated system 300 includes a cord-building apparatus
301 configured to automatically construct a cord structure.
Cord-building apparatus 301 includes a first robotic arm 305
equipped with a first end-of-arm tool 306, a second robotic arm 307
equipped with a second end-of-arm tool 308, a controller 310, and a
loop fixture 315. Although described as a first and second robotic
arm, it should be appreciated that there may be a single robot, or
two, three or more robots/robotic arms. The example is provided for
illustration purpose and not as a limitation.
The robotic arms 305 and 307 may comprise, as non-limiting
examples, programmable articulated mechanical arms which may be
rotationally and translationally displaced. Robotic arms 305 and
307 may include one or more joints that enable the robotic arm to
perform tasks. In some examples, the robotic arms are articulated
robots and thus include two or more joints.
The components of the cord-building apparatus 301, such as the
robotic arms 305 and 307, may be housed within a housing 302. The
housing 302 may be partially constructed of glass or another
transparent material to allow observation of the robotic arms 305
and 307. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 4 shows a pictorial view
of an example apparatus 400. Apparatus 400 includes a first robotic
arm 405 and a second robotic arm 407 housed within housing 410. As
depicted, housing 410 is partially transparent to enable
observation of the construction of a cord structure, and further
includes doors to allow access to the components of apparatus 400
within the housing 410.
The first end-of-arm tool 306 of the first robotic arm 305 may
comprise a needle threaded with a cord 321 or other fiber, and may
be configured to dispense the cord 321 through the needle. The
first end-of-arm tool 306 may comprise a device configured to
dispense or push the cord through the end of the needle as the
first end-of-arm tool 306 is moved by the first robotic arm 305
along a predetermined path, as discussed further herein. An example
first end-of-arm tool 306 is described further herein with regard
to FIG. 6. The second end-of-arm tool 308 of the second robotic arm
307 may comprise a solenoid or another appropriate device which
when actuated may grab, hold, pinch, or otherwise engage a portion
of the cord 321. The two robotic arms 305 and 307 may thus assist
each other in constructing a cord structure, as described further
herein.
Although described in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, in a
second embodiment, both robotic arms may actively thread at the
same time. The active threading of both robotic arms may function
such that both robotic arms thread and hold the cord. As such,
although described in some examples with a single robotic arm
actively threading, it should be understood that there may be two
(or more) actively threading arms.
The cord-building apparatus 301 may further include a controller
310 communicatively coupled to the robotic arms 305 and 307 and
configured with executable instructions 313 in non-transitory
memory 312 that when executed cause the controller to perform
various actions. To that end, the controller 310 comprises a
processor 311 as well as a non-transitory memory 312. An example
method for controller 310 is described further herein with regard
to FIG. 9. Further, the controller 310 may include a user interface
(e.g., user interface 418 shown in FIG. 4) to receive inputs (via,
as non-limiting examples, a keyboard, touch screen, mouse,
joystick, and so on) and display outputs (via, as a non-limiting
example, a display or a touch screen device).
It should be appreciated that while controller 310 is depicted as a
single entity, in some embodiments, the controller 310 may comprise
a plurality of controllers. As an illustrative and non-limiting
example, the controller 310 may include a controller for each
robotic arm, and a central controller for coordinating the separate
robotic arm controllers.
Cord-building apparatus 301 may include a loop fixture 315 which
provides a template or guideposts upon or through which the robotic
arms 305 and 307 may construct a cord structure. In embodiments
directed towards the construction of a footwear article such as the
footwear article described herein above with regard to FIGS. 1-2,
the loop fixture 315 may be configured to receive a sole and/or an
eyestay to or through which the cord structure may be looped.
Further, loop fixture 315 may comprise a left loop fixture and a
right loop fixture (i.e., a loop fixture for constructing left-foot
footwear articles and a loop fixture for constructing right-foot
footwear articles, respectively). In some examples, loop fixture
315 may be adaptable or configured for a plurality of footwear
article sizes. However, in other examples, separate loop fixtures
for different sizes may be included.
FIG. 5 shows an example loop fixture 500. In some examples, the
loop fixture is pre-assembled with an eyestay (not shown) and a
sole (not shown). The sole may be inserted into a gap 508 within
the loop fixture 500, while the eyestay may be placed upon the top
503 of the loop fixture 500. As depicted, the loop fixture 500
includes a plurality of guideposts 510 around and through which the
robotic arms may create loops of a cord structure. Further, the
loop fixture 500 includes a mounting structure 515 that allows the
loop fixture 500 to be securely fixed within the cord-building
apparatus 300.
In some examples, the apparatus may include a left loop fixture and
a right loop fixture, corresponding to left and right footwear
articles. The loop fixture is used to weave the cord to the correct
length. The loop fixture also holds the entire footwear article
together during construction.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the loop fixture 315 may be positioned
between the first robotic arm 305 and the second robotic arm 307
within the apparatus 301. Such a configuration is illustrated in
FIG. 4, wherein loop fixture 415 is mounted on a surface upon which
the robotic arms 405 and 407 are also mounted. It should be
appreciated that the relative positions of the robotic arms 405 and
407 to the loop fixture 315 are not limited to the exemplary
embodiments illustrated and described herein.
Cord-building apparatus 301 may further include an end-of-arm tool
rack 318 which stores a plurality of end-of-arm tools for the first
robotic arm. For example, end-of-arm tool rack 318 may include a
plurality of end-of-arm tools, each end-of-arm tool threaded with a
different color and/or sized cord. The first robotic arm 305 may
automatically select an end-of-arm tool 306 from the end-of-arm
tool rack 318 based on a color and/or size request, as described
further herein. The end-of-arm tool rack 318 may be positioned, as
an example, within the housing 410 of the cord-building apparatus
400 so that the end-of-arm tools stored on the end-of-arm tool rack
318 are accessible to the first robotic arm 405, which may select a
selected end-of-arm tool from the end-of-arm tool rack 318 based on
a selected color and/or loop size.
FIG. 6 shows an example end-of-arm tool 600. An end-of-arm tool
rack may hold a plurality of end-of-arm tools, including top
end-of-arm tools and bottom end-of-arm tools. If the footwear
article is to be constructed with a different color top and bottom
loop (e.g., first and second pluralities of loops), the robotic arm
will automatically select the correct end-of-arm tool from the
end-of-arm tool rack and assemble the footwear article.
The end-of-arm tool 600 may comprise a device 602 configured to
dispense a cord. To that end, the end-of-arm tool 600 may further
comprise a needle 604 fixedly coupled to the device 602 and
configured to precisely dispense the cord at a selected position.
The cord (not shown) may be threaded into the device 602 and
through the needle 604. The cord may be spooled, for example, away
from the device 602, which pulls and/or pushes the cord away from
the cord spool or box (not shown) and into the needle 604. The cord
may be selectively and automatically dispensed through the end of
the needle 604. In some examples, the device 602 may include a cord
cutting device (not shown) therein which is configured to cut and
therefore released the dispensed cord from the end-of-arm tool
600.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the different cords 321 mentioned above
may be stored in separate cord boxes 320. In some examples, the
cord box 320 may be external to the cord-building apparatus 301.
However, in other examples, the cord box 320 may be positioned
within the cord-building apparatus 301.
In some examples, an apparatus for automatically producing a cord
structure may include a plurality of cord boxes. The apparatus may
include the cord-building apparatus 400, comprising a first robotic
arm 405 and second robotic arm 407 housed within a housing 410, a
loop fixture 415, and an end-of-arm tool rack 420. The apparatus
may further include a box rack storing a plurality of cord boxes.
Each cord box may house cord of a particular color. In some
examples, the cord in each of the boxes may be threaded to a
corresponding end-of-arm tool in the end-of-arm tool rack. In other
examples, an operator of the apparatus may manually obtain cord 321
from a cord box 320 and thread an end-of-arm tool in the end-of-arm
tool rack 318. While the cord boxes 320 may be positioned external
to the housing 410 of the cord-building apparatus, in some examples
one or more of the cord boxes 320 are also housed within the
housing 410.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the system 300 may further include a
computer 330 communicatively coupled to the cord-building apparatus
301. In some embodiments, the computer 330 may be communicatively
coupled to an optional camera 332 configured to capture video of
the cord structure construction process carried out by the
cord-building apparatus 301. The computer 330 may be optionally
configured to transmit the video captured by the camera 332 to a
client computer 345 via a network 340, such as the public
Internet.
Further, the computer 330 may be configured to receive a custom
order from the client computer 345 via the network 340, and may
communicate the custom order to the cord-building apparatus 301.
The custom order may include one or more desired colors, a desired
size, and a desired product. Upon receiving the custom order, the
cord-building apparatus 301 may automatically construct the ordered
product in accordance with the one or more desired colors, desired
size, and desired product. In embodiments including the optional
camera 332, the camera 332 may capture video of the entire process,
which may be streamed back to the client computer 345. In this way,
the customer may watch, via a display device of the client computer
345, the video stream of the custom order being prepared. Since the
construction process of the footwear article as carried out by the
cord-building apparatus 301 is brief (e.g., in some examples, the
process may be completed in approximately ten minutes or less)
compared to conventional footwear article construction methods, the
customer may view the construction and know that the order is being
correctly fulfilled.
FIG. 7 shows a high-level flow chart illustrating an example method
700 for automatically producing a footwear article with a cord
structure. Method 700 will be described with reference to the
systems and components of FIGS. 3-6, though it should be
appreciated that the method may be implemented with other systems
and components without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
Method 700 begins at 705. At 705, method 700 includes inputting a
size and a color request to a cord-building apparatus, such as
cord-building apparatus 301 or 400 described herein above. In some
examples, an operator may use a user interface device (e.g., the
user interface 418) to input one or more selected cord colors, and
the operator may further select a desired size of the product. In
other examples, the size and color request may be electronically
transmitted to the cord-building apparatus, for example via a
computer communicatively coupled to the cord-building
apparatus.
At 710, method 700 includes inserting a sole and an eyestay to the
loop fixture. In some examples, an operator may pre-assemble the
eyestay and the sole onto the loop fixture assembly, and then load
the pre-assembled loop fixture assembly into the apparatus. In
other examples, a robotic arm may automatically insert a sole and
an eyestay to the loop fixture within the cord-building
apparatus.
At 715, method 700 includes commanding the apparatus to
automatically construct the cord structure of the upper. In some
embodiments, commanding the apparatus to construct the cord
structure may comprise initiating a method implemented in the
apparatus. An example of such a method is described further herein
with regard to FIG. 8. Commanding the apparatus to initiate or
execute such a method may comprise an operator pressing a "Start"
button positioned at the apparatus, for example on touch screen
interface.
The apparatus may then automatically weave a plurality of loops
through the eyestay and the sole to create a cord structure
comprising an upper. The cord structure coupled to the eyestay and
the sole comprise a footwear article. The footwear article may
comprise, for example, the footwear article of FIG. 1, while the
cord structure comprising the upper may comprise the cord structure
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.
After the cord-building apparatus completes the automatic
construction of the cord structure, method 700 proceeds to 720. At
720, method 700 includes removing the constructed footwear article
from the apparatus. For example, an operator may remove the loop
fixture from the cord-building apparatus, and then remove the
constructed footwear article (comprising the sole, eyestay, and
cord structure) from the loop fixture.
At 725, method 700 includes finishing the footwear article.
Finishing the footwear article may include attaching an anchor cord
to the cord structure, for example through the loops extending
below the sole. Finishing the footwear article may further include
trimming and securing the cord structure, adding different
components (e.g., insole, heel counter, toe cap, lacing system, and
so on) to the constructed footwear article, and any other step to
finalize the footwear article for use. In some examples, the
footwear article may be automatically finished by the cord-building
apparatus prior to removing the footwear article from the
apparatus. For example, at least one robotic arm may be commanded
to automatically attach the anchor cord the cord structure. Method
700 then ends. Method 700 may be repeated to construct a left
footwear article and a right footwear article.
FIG. 8 shows a high-level flow chart illustrating an example method
800 for automatically producing a cord structure. Method 800
relates to the control of a cord-building apparatus to construct a
cord structure. Method 800 is described herein below with reference
to the systems and components of FIGS. 3-6, though it should be
understood that the method may be implemented with other systems
and components without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. Method 800 may be carried out by a controller, such as
controller 310, and may be stored as executable instructions 313 in
non-transitory memory 312.
Method 800 begins at 805. At 805, method 800 includes receiving a
color and a size request. The color request may include one or more
colors for a cord structure. The size request may include a desired
size of a cord structure. In embodiments wherein method 800 is
directed to construction of a cord structure for a footwear
article, the size request may comprise the desired shoe size. The
color and size request may be received via a user interface of the
cord-building apparatus, or may be received via communication with
an external computing device.
At 810, method 800 includes automatically generating first and
second paths for the first and second robotic arms based on the
requested size. The first paths for the first and second robotic
arms correspond to paths along which the first and second robotic
arms operate to construct a first set of loops, while the second
paths for the first and second robotic arms correspond to paths
along which the first and second robotic arms operate to construct
a second set of loops slippably engaged with the first set of
loops. As an example, the paths may describe the desired position
of each end-of-arm tool of the robotic arms, which may be
positioned in three-dimensions within the cord-building apparatus.
Therefore, each of the paths may be three-dimensional, and
furthermore may include indications of where and/or when an
end-of-arm tool may perform a specified function, such as actuating
a solenoid. Thus, method 800 may also include generating setting
instructions for the first and second robotic arms. Such setting
instructions may also indicate to the first end-of-arm tool when to
dispense cord, as the first end-of-arm tool may selectively rather
than continuously dispense cord to form the loops.
At 815, method 800 includes automatically selecting an end-of-arm
tool with the requested color. As a non-limiting example, the first
robotic arm automatically procures the end-of-arm tool from the
end-of-arm tool rack through which a cord with the desired color is
threaded.
At 820, method 800 includes controlling the robotic arms to move
along the first paths while dispensing cord to create loops in a
first plane. Controlling the robotic arms to move along the first
paths comprises commanding, via the controller, the first and the
second arms to move along the first paths with the setting
instructions generated at 810. The first path of the first robotic
arm describes the path along which the first end-of-arm tool
automatically dispenses cord through the end-of-arm tool, while the
first path of the second robotic arm describes the path along which
the second end-of-arm tool is positioned in order to hold the cord
in place as the first end-of-arm tool dispenses the cord. The
second end-of-arm tool thus functions, in part, as a temporary
guidepost in free space as each loop is created. The second
end-of-arm tool may also automatically clamp the cord in selected
places in order to temporarily maintain the structure of a loop
while the first-end-of-arm tool is repositioned to create the next
loop.
As an illustrative example, FIG. 9 depicts an example path 901 for
the first end-of-arm tool which dispenses a cord 903 in a plane.
The first end-of-arm tool begins at a position 911, and pulls a
specified distance away from position 911 in a first direction 908
(e.g., the -x direction) towards a position 912 while dispensing
the cord 903. The first end-of-arm tool then moves back towards
position 911 in a second direction 909 (e.g., the +x direction) and
continues a second specified distance away from position 911
towards position 913, all while dispensing the cord 903. The first
end-of-arm tool then pulls back to position 912 in the first
direction 909 (e.g., the -x direction) while also moving a distance
916 from the previous position 912 in a direction orthogonal to the
pull-back motion, e.g., the +y direction as depicted in FIG. 9.
While positions 911 and 912 may be positioned on a loop fixture,
typically the position 913 occurs in free space. To that end, the
second end-of-arm tool may move between positions 911 and 913 to
assist the first end-of-arm tool in creating the loops. This
process is repeated for each loop.
Furthermore, the position 913 is located further away from position
911 than the desired loop size. That is, the cord 903 does not
necessarily lie along the exact path 901 of the first end-of-arm
tool. As depicted, although the path 901 of the first end-of-arm
tool dispenses cord at position 913, the edge of the loop in cord
903 comes to rest at position 914, located in the x direction
between positions 911 and 913. In other words, the first end-of-arm
tool dispenses cord a distance out in free space which is further
than may be expected in order for the cord 903 to be positioned as
depicted. That is, to create a loop which extends from position 912
to position 914, the first end-of-arm tool is commanded to dispense
cord along a distance from position 912 to position 913, which is
greater than the distance from position 912 to position 914.
It should be appreciated that the particular distances traveled by
the first end-of-arm tool may be determined based on the requested
size of a footwear article or cord structure, which in turn may
determine the appropriate size of each loop.
To further illustrate the construction of the first set of loops
with the robotic arms, FIG. 10 illustrates an example construction
1000 of a first set of loops 1030 for a cord structure. The first
set of loops 1030 are constructed in a first plane 1020, depicted
as the x-y plane in FIG. 10 (with the z axis coming out of the
page). The first end-of-arm tool 1005 is depicted as a triangle,
while the second end-of-arm tool 1007 is depicted as a box. The
first path 1010 depicted corresponds to the first path of the first
robotic arm or the first end-of-arm tool 1005 which dispenses the
cord 1009. The first end-of-arm tool 1005 constructs the first set
of loops on the loop fixture 1001, and moves between the guideposts
1002 (depicted as small circles).
For the construction of a footwear article, an eyestay (not shown)
may be positioned on the loop fixture 1001 such that the eyelets
1015 (depicted as ovals) align with the guideposts 1002 of the loop
fixture 1001. The first end-of-arm tool 1005 moves along the first
path 1010 and dispenses cord 1009 to create the first loops, while
the second end-of-arm tool 1007 moves along another first path (not
shown) to assist the first end-of-arm tool 1005. As an example, the
end-of-arm tool 1005 moves through the eyelet 1015 in a routine
such as that depicted in FIG. 9, where the end-of-arm tool 1005
moves from a point B to a point C, through the eyelet 1015, and
pulls back to point B through the same eyelet 1015. The length of
the resulting loop is less than the distance that the first
end-of-arm tool 1005 travels, as depicted and described above.
Further, as depicted, the construction of the loops is not limited
to a single direction, but may wrap around in the first plane
(e.g., the x-y plane).
Further still, it should be appreciated that in some examples, the
cord may be dispensed by a first robotic arm through a hole in the
sole material without being hooked by a second robotic arm. The
sole material, which may comprise rubber and flashing as
non-limiting examples, may be rigid and resistant to the cord, such
that friction between the cord and the sole material captures the
cord and holds it in place. In this way, the individual programming
points of the first robotic arm may be reduced by approximately 500
points.
Referring again to FIG. 8, after the robotic arms create the first
set of loops in the first plane, method 800 proceeds to 825. At
825, method 800 determines if the desired number of loops are
complete. The desired number of loops may correspond to a selected
size, and so method 800 may not continue until the desired number
of loops in the first set of loops is complete. Thus, if the
desired number of loops are not complete ("NO"), method 800 returns
to 820. If the desired number of loops are complete ("YES"), method
800 proceeds to 830.
At 830, method 800 determines if a different color is requested for
a second set of loops. If a different color is requested ("YES"),
method 800 proceeds to 835. At 835, method 800 includes selecting
an end-of-arm tool with the second requested color. Method 800 then
proceeds to 840. If a different color is not requested ("NO"),
method 800 proceeds directly to 840 and continues using the same
end-of-arm tool selected at 815.
At 840, method 800 includes controlling the robotic arms to move
along the second paths to create loops in a second plane orthogonal
to the first plane through the first set of loops. While the first
set of loops may be built using the guideposts of the loop fixture
(and optionally, an eyestay including a plurality of eyelets
through which the cord is dispensed, as described above), the
second set of loops may be built using the first set of loops. As
an illustrative example, the cord may be dispensed through each
loop in the first set of loops similar to how the cord is dispensed
through the eyelets with regard to the construction of the first
set of loops.
As an illustrative example, FIG. 11 illustrates an example
construction 1100 of a second set of loops 1130 through an
already-constructed set of loops 1030, such as the first set of
loops 1030 in FIG. 10. The second set of loops 1130 is constructed
in a second plane 1120 (e.g., the x-z plane), which is orthogonal
to the first plane 1020 (e.g., the x-y plane). The position of the
first set of loops 1030 is depicted in perspective to illustrate
how the cord 1109 is dispensed through the first set of loops 1030.
The first end-of-arm tool 1105 (which may comprise the first
end-of-arm tool 1005 depicted in FIG. 10, or may be a different
end-of-arm tool with a different color thread, for example) moves
along the second path 1110 of the first robotic arm. The second
end-of-arm tool 1107 (which may comprise the second end-of-arm tool
1007 depicted in FIG. 10) moves along the second path (not shown)
of the second robotic arm. Since the first set of loops 1030 extend
beyond the loop fixture 1001 (as depicted in FIG. 10), the
construction of the second set of loops 1130 may rely less on the
loop fixture 1001 for guidance. That is, the second set of loops
1130 may be constructed entirely in free space. However, in
examples wherein method 800 is directed towards constructing a
corded upper, a sole 1117 may be positioned in the loop fixture as
described herein above. The sole 1117 may include a plurality of
slots 1115 through which the second set of loops may be woven. In
such an example, the first end-of-arm tool 1105 may dispense the
cord 1109 through a loop of the first set of loops and then through
a slot 1115 of the sole 1117, and then pull back through the same
slot 1117 and through the same loop. The second end-of-arm tool
1107 may assist in holding the loop of the first set of loops or
the newly constructed loop in place as the first end-of-arm tool
dispenses the cord 1109.
As mentioned above, in some examples the friction between the sole
1117 and the cord 1109 may hold the cord 1109 in place once
dispensed through the slot 1115, and so the second end-of-arm tool
1107 may not be necessary for holding the loop. In such examples,
the pluralities of loops may be constructed entirely with the first
robotic arm.
Though not depicted, the first end-of-arm tool may also extend a
distance further than the desired length of the loop, as described
herein above with regard to FIGS. 9 and 10. However, it should be
appreciated that in some examples, the cord 1109 may lie exactly
along the path 1110 along which the cord 1109 is dispensed.
Referring again to FIG. 8, after completing a loop in the second
set of loops, method 800 continues to 845. At 845, method 800
determines if the desired number of loops is complete. If the
desired number of loops is not complete ("NO"), method 800 returns
to 840. If the desired number of loops is complete ("YES"), method
800 proceeds to 850.
At 850, method 800 optionally includes adding a sole or anchor loop
to secure the cord structure. The sole or anchor loop may be woven
through the loops under the sole (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 11) in
order to secure the first and second set of loops to the sole. In
some examples, 850 may be carried out manually by an operator of
the cord-building apparatus. Method 800 then ends.
Thus, systems and methods are provided for the automatic
construction of a cord structure. The cord structure may be
integrated into or may comprise a footwear article, such as the
footwear article depicted in FIG. 1. While the construction of a
footwear article is described, such an embodiment is exemplary and
non-limiting, and it should be appreciated that the methods and
systems described herein may be applied to the construction of any
cord structure. A system such as the system depicted in FIG. 3
which constructs cord structures by dispensing cord in
three-dimensional space to form interlocking loops may thus be
considered an additive manufacturing system.
In one embodiment, a method comprises automatically forming, with
at least one robotic arm, a first plurality of loops in a first
plane, and automatically forming, with the at least one robotic
arm, a second plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to
the first plane, the second plurality of loops slippably engaged
with the first plurality of loops.
In a first example of the method, the at least one robotic arm
comprises two or more robotic arms. In a second example of the
method optionally including the first example, each loop of the
first and second plurality of loops is formed by automatically
controlling a first arm of the two or more robotic arms to dispense
a cord from a first position to a second position in a first
direction, and automatically controlling the first arm to dispense
the cord from the second position to a third position in a second
direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the first
direction and the second direction are in one of the first and the
second planes, and wherein a distance from the first position to
the second position is less than a distance from the second
position to the third position. In a third example of the method
optionally including one or more of the first and second examples,
the cord is automatically dispensed around a loop fixture post at
the second position, and a second arm of the two or more robotic
arms automatically holds the cord at the third position in free
space. In a fourth example of the method optionally including one
or more of the first through third examples, the first plurality of
loops are automatically dispensed through an eyestay for a footwear
article, the first plurality of loops comprising a vamp
substructure of the footwear article. In a fifth example of the
method optionally including one or more of the first through fourth
examples, the second plurality of loops are automatically dispensed
through a sole of the footwear article, the second plurality of
loops comprising a rand substructure of the footwear article. In a
sixth example of the method optionally including one or more of the
first through fifth examples, the method further comprises
automatically dispensing an anchor cord through the second
plurality of loops on an exterior side of the sole. In a seventh
example of the method optionally including one or more of the first
through sixth examples, the first plurality of loops is dispensed
along a face of a loop fixture. In an eighth example of the method
optionally including one or more of the first through seventh
examples, a first loop of the first plurality of loops is
intertwined with and slidably movable relative to at least two
loops of the second plurality of loops, and a second loop of the at
least two loops is intertwined with and slidably movable relative
to at least two loops of the first plurality of loops including the
first loop.
In another embodiment, a system comprises: a loop fixture; at least
two robotic arms including a first robotic arm configured to
automatically dispense a cord; and a controller configured with
instructions stored in non-transitory memory that when executed
cause the controller to: control the at least two robotic arms to
automatically dispense the cord to form a first plurality of loops
on the loop fixture in a first plane; and control the at least two
robotic arms to automatically dispense the cord to form a second
plurality of loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane,
the second plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first
plurality of loops.
In a first example of the system, the controller is further
configured with instructions in the non-transitory memory that when
executed cause the controller to generate a first path for the
first robotic arm, wherein controlling the at least two robotic
arms to dispense the cord to form the first plurality of loops
comprises controlling the first robotic arm to dispense the cord
along the first path. In a second example of the system optionally
including the first example, the cord comprises a first cord and a
second cord, the first cord forming the first plurality of loops
and the second cord forming the second plurality of loops. In a
third example of the system optionally including one or more of the
first and second examples, the controller is further configured
with instructions in the non-transitory memory that when executed
cause the controller to command the first robotic arm to select a
first end-of-arm tool prepared with the first cord prior to forming
the first plurality of loops, and to command the first robotic arm
to select a second end-of-arm tool prepared with the second cord
prior to forming the second plurality of loops. In a fourth example
of the system optionally including one or more of the first through
third examples, the first end-of-arm tool and the second end-of-arm
tool are stored in a rack positioned adjacent to the first robotic
arm. In a fifth example of the system optionally including one or
more of the first through fourth examples, a second robotic arm of
the at least two robotic arms includes an end-of-arm tool
configured to hold the cord in selective positions as the first
robotic arm dispenses the cord to form the first and second
plurality of loops. In a sixth example of the system optionally
including one or more of the first through fifth examples, an
eyestay and a sole are positioned on the loop fixture, and wherein
the first plurality of loops is dispensed through the eyestay and
the second plurality of loops is dispensed through the sole to form
a footwear article. In a seventh example of the system optionally
including one or more of the first through sixth examples, a size
of each loop in the first and second pluralities of loops are
determined based on a size of the footwear article.
In yet another embodiment, a system comprises a robotic arm, and a
controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and
configured with instructions in non-transitory memory that when
executed cause the controller to: control the robotic arm to
dispense a first cord to form a first plurality of loops in a first
plane, wherein at least one loop of the first plurality of loops is
dispensed at least partially into a sole; and control the robotic
arm to dispense a second cord to form a second plurality of loops
in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second
plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of
loops.
In a first example of the system, the sole comprises at least one
material, and friction between the at least one material and the at
least one loop holds the at least one loop in place. In a second
example of the system optionally including the first example, a
first loop of the first plurality of loops is intertwined with and
slidably movable relative to at least two loops of the second
plurality of loops, and a second loop of the at least two loops is
intertwined with and slidably movable relative to at least two
loops of the first plurality of loops including the first loop. In
a third example of the system optionally including one or more of
the first and second examples, the system further comprises an
end-of-arm tool coupled to an end of the robotic arm, the
end-of-arm tool configured to dispense at least one of the first
cord and the second cord.
In another representation, a method comprises: forming, with two or
more robotic arms, a first plurality of loops in a first plane; and
forming, with the two or more robotic arms, a second plurality of
loops in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second
plurality of loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of
loops. In one example of the method, each loop of the first and
second plurality of loops is formed by controlling a first arm of
the two or more robotic arms to pull a cord from a first position
to a second position in a first direction, and controlling the
first arm to pull the cord from the second position to a third
position in a second direction opposite to the first direction,
wherein the first direction and the second direction are in one of
the first and the second planes, and wherein a distance from the
first position to the second position is less than a distance from
the second position to the third position. In a second example of
the method, the cord is pulled around a loop fixture post at the
second position, and wherein a second arm of the two or more
robotic arms holds the cord at the third position in free
space.
In yet another representation, a system comprises: a loop fixture;
at least two robotic arms; a controller with instructions stored in
non-transitory memory that when executed cause the controller to:
control the at least two robotic arms to form a first plurality of
loops on the loop fixture in a first plane; and control the at
least two robotic arms to form a second plurality of loops in a
second plane orthogonal to the first plane, the second plurality of
loops slippably engaged with the first plurality of loops.
It will be appreciated that the configurations and/or approaches
described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific
embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting
sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter
of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious
combinations and subcombinations of the various features,
functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any
and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *
References